QPR have failed with their appeal to have Joey Barton's red card for violent conduct in Monday's Barclays Premier League match against Norwich overturned.

Barton gave QPR an early lead at Loftus Road before getting involved in a tussle with Bradley Johnson and appearing to headbutt the Norwich midfielder. QPR appealed against the dismissal but the Football Association on Wednesday afternoon confirmed that appeal had failed.

An FA statement read: "An Independent Regulatory Commission has today [Wednesday 4 January] dismissed a claim of wrongful dismissal from Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton following his red card for violent conduct in the QPR v Norwich City game on 2 January 2012."

It added: "Barton will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect."

It means the 29-year-old midfielder will miss Saturday's FA Cup tie at MK Dons, the Premier League clash away to former club Newcastle the following Sunday and the home match against fellow strugglers Wigan on January 21.